Knowledge For Sale At Grafton Bethel

Geckos for sale. Not to mention beads and bracelets, ladybugs and more.

Grafton Bethel Elementary School's third-grade classes sold all of that stuff to learn how the economy works.

The classes studied economics as part of their Standards of Learning, and their teachers decided the kids should put those studies into action. They even snuck in some math, technology and English with the social studies.

"Economics is a very difficult concept for their age," said teacher Elaine Buford. Buford said she and other teachers knew the kids would understand better if they made the study a "hands-on approach."

Students voted - a lesson in government - on what they wanted their products to be, teacher Mindy Sumner said.

After deciding, they each invested $1. Then the classes bought their supplies and made the products. Some teachers also had students write journal entries about what they were doing, Sumner said.

Then, Sumner said, for one week the students had the chance to earn money for their market. It wasn't real U.S. currency, but the money could be used at their sale. Some students had 25 market bucks; others had less. Their behavior and work in class determined how much money they got - or had taken away.

They also made commercials on the computer for their products. Many students also made posters advertising their goods.

"Don't be sour. Get the Power" decorated the walls, telling students about the beaded bracelets being sold in one class.

"Free popcorn" also clued kids in on another class that gave out a bag of popcorn to everyone who bought an "SOL test buddy," or pencil decoration, from them.

In Sumner's class, students made choker necklaces and bracelets. They even had a slogan: "Our necklaces are jazzy and make you look snazzy."

Will Smith, the "fresh prince" of Sumner's class, said he made six chokers and three bracelets. He planned to use his market money to buy two bracelets, one for him and one for his 3-year-old sister, Kristin.

Elizabeth Wong, 9, said making the products helped her learn that "we need to make a profit or we'll lose money."

Buford's class sold ladybugs, snakes and geckos - not to be confused with the actual creatures, of course. The animals in Buford's class were key chains made with string and beads.

On Thursday, Katie Andleton, 8, helped make the last of the chains, though she said she's still surprised they made them at all.

"Usually you don't walk into class and see kids make these," she said, pointing at a board filled with creepy, crawly key chains. But that's OK, Katie said, because she loves making them and feels good when people buy them because she knows they'll enjoy them.

Judith Malveaux can be reached at 247-4793 or by e-mail at jmalveaux@dailypress.com